New York Beauty and Mariners Compass Blocks

Hello

A quilt I've always wanted to make is a New York Beauty and this week I decided to make a start.

These blocks were designed by Donna Duquette and I found them as a free download on the internet.

There are lots of free patterns and tutorials out there.

The main fabrics I'm using for this quilt are a selection of 18 fat quarters called Stonehenge by Linda Ludovico. They are gorgeous and bright and I'm mixing them with batiks.

I like doing the foundation piecing, that's good but I am not so keen on the curved seams.  I am trying to be as neat and precise as I can but kept chopping some points off.  I don't know how many times I sewed and unpicked some of the seams in this block.

Still not happy with it so decided to switch fabrics and PRACTICE. 

 This is a block before its sewn together.

Another one done - curved seams going ok now.

 My DH and DD did not like these blocks - say they are too busy but I rather like that.  A few more and I think they would make a pretty quilt for a little girl.

In the same pile as the New York beauty patterns I found these foundation pieced Mariners Compass patterns.  I had printed them ages ago.  They are from Quilting on the Square but I can't remember if it was a blog or a website I got them from and I cannot find it again to share the link with you.  I used Blocks 1,2, and 3 but can only find the links to these blocks:

Block 1

Block 12

 I used my Stonhenge fabrics for these and I love how they turned out.  I may mix these 12" blocks with the 8" New York beauty blocks - undecided yet - think I will just see what happens as I go along.  

Playing with layouts now....

Hope you will come back and follow my progress.

Enjoy your weekend

Rhianon.

Stars and Butterfly Quilt - Part 1

Hello everyone,

I missed posting last week but I was just so busy with work and family stuff and kept putting it off, but I have been getting some sewing done despite having an inferior machine to work with.

I actually started this quilt before my machine broke but was able to keep piecing on the stand in.

It started with this block, taken from Carol Doak's book Simply Sensational Stars.  Have to say it is an excellent book especially if you like foundation piecing.

Mine was a gift from a quilter friend - thank you Irene!

I made 4 of these blocks and set them on point around a center block with a butterfly.

I love this blue fabric with the big flowers on it and I didn't want to cut it too small so it was perfect for the setting triangles.

I don't know about mixing batik and non batik fabrics in a quilt, but I'm doing it anyway.  This is a gorgeous rainbow stripe batik.

Next up I added a border which was also foundation pieced.

                                                     
                                                            Close up of the border.

It's getting bigger and look at all that space for the applique!

More foundation pieced blocks joined to gether to make the next border that will frame the applique.

.... and this is the story so far. 

I am still waiting for my machine to be repaired and returned to me so I am hanging off doing the applique. I love how this quilt is progressing - it looks just like the picture in my head.  I did do a small sketch of how I wanted it to look but forgot to take a photo. Next time.

Before I go I'll just share my good news.  DH has bought me a new machine (from a different dealer). I've opted for the Janome 1600P.

It's being delivered on monday and I cannot wait!
Enjoy your weekend.
Rhianon.